Police say smash Balkans human trafficking ring

(ZAGREB) - Croatia, Bosnia and Slovenia have arrested 45 people suspected of belonging to a Balkans human trafficking ring smuggling European Union-bound immigrants, police said Wednesday.

Eighteen people were arrested in Croatia, including three border police officers, a police official told journalists.

Another 10 and 17 suspects were arrested in neighbouring Slovenia and Bosnia respectively.

Police did not reveal the number of immigrants -- mostly Turkish and Albanian nationals -- that were smuggled across Serbia and Bosnia to Croatia, from where they were to reach the EU.

The suspects were charging between 850 euros and 1,000 euros ($1,100 and $1,300) per immigrant, police said.

Criminals often use the so-called Balkans route to smuggle drugs, people and weapons into western Europe.